Najdorf Poisoned Pawn Move after Qb6?

I tried to look through old articles but that was a mess - and was going to provide more information than I want to chew right now.

Can I get some of my fellow players to tell me what the idea is behind the Poisoned Pawn variation, and more important...how does White handle this oddity and why so many odd options for White? - continuation please?

If you want to go into the Poisoned Pawn, then Qd2. (I am not sure if there is a good way of avoiding it once you reached this juncture but Nb3 and a3 are playable.) After Qxb2, the possibilities are Rb1 or Nb3, hoping to trap the Black Queen although it is far from easy. For something further you'll need the Opening Explorer.

the point is that you should be willing to give up your b pawn to keep blacks queen out of the game for some time. Fischer even got his queen trapped by spassky in 72. it was one of their match games in rejkavic

8. Qd2 (if I remember correctly, this is an idea of Paul Keres) Qxb2 is the absolute main line of the poisoned pawn and leads to some of the most heavily analyzed positions in the whole opening theory of chess. Not so long ago there seemed to be agreement among GMs that both 9. Nb3 and 9. Rb1 have been analyzed down to a draw and consequently 6. Bg5 was very rare in top level chess. However, recently there has been remarkable revival, but I don't know what exactly has changed. Anyway, 9. Rb1 seems to be the most popular nowadays when white oviously has compensation in the form of development advantage and also because it will not be so easy for black to finnish his development.

I think following your simple chess logic with 8. Nb3 can't be too bad if you want to avoid the most heavily analyzed lines. In general 6. Bg5 is extremely theory heavy line even inside the generally very theoretical Najdorf variation.

my analysis (bxf6)! black "must " take the pawn either way his kingside pawn-structure is damaged. (Qxb2) Now white plays (Nb3) two points : the bishop at (f6) protects the (Nc3) the (Nb3) protects the (Rook). black must regain his piece so(Pxf6). now whites (Qd2) protects the (Nc3) . the black queen is blocked in and out of play (for awhile) the black king will not find a safe haven when he castles on either side of the board! please correct me if i am wrong! black must pay for i believe this "prematue" attack!

I like a Sicilian Najdorf cause its a popular game, but like above position is strong concepts but if want give one pawn then Qd2 is a good move or Qd3 to protect center strong position or if you don't want pawn loss then b2-b3 or Ra1-b1, don't scary to move, and one more thing you have accurate move, its just chess play friend. Good luck!

WhiteKnight56 wrote:
Amanultra wrote:
a3 is a trap. after Qxb2 Na4! surprise! i like a3. Qd2 is solid and gains the open b file for the rook on a1. The Najdorf in general is scary. I play either of these two lines.
Ouch. 8. a3 Qxb2, 9. Na4 Qb4+, 10. c3 Qa3, 11. Nc2 does seem to win the black queen.
Sorry but the queen cannot even check on b4 without being captured.

The position after 7...Qb6 is the most frequent position after 7 moves in most large databases of master games because it was played so often from the late '60s into the late '70s. The amount of theory is huge because for many years every tournament would see a new move in one line or another, often challenging the assessment of the entire line. The rich complications provided a very fertile ground for improvement, and recent developments show the verdict is not yet final on the line.

It's not the sort of thing you can play well with a quick tutorial. You will need to review many GM games over the years to see and understand the development of the theory. It is one of the most complex variations in all of chess.

It's exciting and fun to play, though. Basically White either wins by attack, forces a perpetual check, or is at the mercy of Black's extra pawn in an ending. Black also gains the two Bishops, at least temporarily, which can help turn the game around quickly if he survives White's assault.

i play the najdorf why should i take the pawn? for the pawn what do i get! (not much)! it is not a center pawn,i am already behind in developement, and after white plays (Bxf6) my kingside pawn structure is ruined and my only developed piece the "queen" which may be under "stress" (white can keep his pawn). just my opinion!